Rav4 Clonking Steering

[BlahBlah]

Hello all. As the second owner of a 1 owner FSH Rav4 T180 2006 28mls I was so pleased with the car but then...... The clonking started :0( After talking to Toyota customer services they said take it to your local dealer ( Peterborough ) and they will look at it for you... That's good how nice I think... Then shock horror I'm told it needs a new steering rack !! the cost with fitting £2000.....

But hold on I say... its only done 35,000 mls is it not covered by warranty. No no they say.... its to old now!!!! Having owned an T180 Avensis a few years ago which was such a good car with never any problems I am shocked with Toyota that they have taken this stance.

On looking at the forums I see that I'm not the only 1 that has had this problem and Toyota is aware there was a problem with the steering on certain model years ( they recalled a lot of Avensis cars for a replacement ) Is it the same rack on the Rav 4 ? In America it appears they have replaced the faulty steering rack on the Rav4 or paid half the cost... But won't here !

Do they think more of our American cousins then us ?

Has any member had this problem and can point me in the right direction ? Tks

Pete

[Parts-King]

So you have an 8 year old car but you think it should be under warranty because of the low mileage?........ Interesting stance

Are you sure it is the rack and not the column? There was a modification to the column, but not the rack as far as I can remember

[gjnorthall]

The rack isn't regarded as a problematic part on this car. However, as pointed out by Parts-King, there is a well known issue with the column which manifests itself as a clicking type noise as the steering wheel is rotated, particularly under load ie when parking. You'd obviously need to be sure exactly what the fault was before spending money. The car is a fair age, and I don't think any manufacturer would make a contribution towards a repair or they'd soon be out of business. If it does transpire to be a rack fault - you might consider getting a service exchange unit from a PAS specialist - the cost will be far less than the £2k you've been quoted.

[Bono Estente]

So you have an 8 year old car but you think it should be under warranty because of the low mileage?........ Interesting stance

Are you sure it is the rack and not the column? There was a modification to the column, but not the rack as far as I can remember

You mean are Toyota sure its the rack and not the column, because hows he supposed to know?

[BlahBlah]

Ok, Tks. I will ask Toyota with regard to your comment on the lower steering column....

[Parts-King]

Yes quite. I would doubt it needs a rack, not at 35K unless it has suffered damage to a boot and water has got in or something similar, I would seek a second opinion

[gjnorthall]

What's the symptoms - are you getting a clicking type noise when turning the steering wheel under load eg manoeuvring into a parking space?